Wet/dry floor cleaning unit and method of cleanig

ABSTRACT

A floor cleaning device comprises a base portion for movement along a surface and a handle portion pivotally connected to the base. The base portion further includes a suction nozzle and a brush assembly for agitating the surface, wherein the brush assembly and the nozzle assembly are in a first position raised off of the surface for vacuuming the surface, and the nozzle assembly is lowered to a second position contacting the surface for collecting and picking up liquid and dirt from the surface. A method of cleaning a surface by first dry vacuuming the surface using a cleaning unit in which the nozzle assembly is raised to pick up particles and then wet vacuuming the floor with the nozzle assembly lowered to collect and pick up dirt from the floor mixed with cleaning solution distributed on the floor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a cleaner such as a hard floor cleaningunit for use in wet or dry cleaning modes. In particular, the presentapplication pertains to such a hard floor cleaning unit having a nozzleassembly that is raised off the floor for use in the dry cleaning modeand lowered on the floor for use in the wet cleaning mode.

2. Background Information

It is known in the prior art to provide a hard or bare floor cleaningunit. Such floors are of a relatively unyielding and nonabsorbentnature. Some examples of these floors include ceramic tile, sealedhardwood, concrete, and vinyl. For these floors, it is often desirableto have a multipurpose cleaning unit which can be selected and used todry vacuum the floor to pick up dirt and dust, or wet vacuum the floorby scrubbing the floor with cleaning solution and then collecting andpicking it up. Also, it is desirable to first dry vacuum the floor withthe nozzle assembly raised and then lower it to wet vacuum the floor.Dry vacuuming with the nozzle assembly raised picks up the largeparticles in order to provide a cleaner surface for wet vacuuming,thereby avoiding spreading or scrubbing the loose dirt on the floor bythe squeegee or brushes. Moreover, this method minimizes the amount ofdirt or hair that collects on the brushes.

Hence, it is an object of the present invention to provide a hard floorcleaning unit that can be conveniently selected to dry vacuum the floorwith the nozzle assembly raised or wet vacuum the floor with the nozzleassembly lowered to collect and pick up dirt from the floor mixed withcleaning solution distributed on the floor by the cleaning unit.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a method ofcleaning a hard floor surface by first dry vacuuming the floor using acleaning unit in which the nozzle assembly is raised to pick up largeparticles and then wet vacuuming the floor with the nozzle assemblylowered to collect and pick up dirt from the floor mixed with cleaningsolution distributed on the floor by the cleaning unit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The foregoing and other objects of the present invention will be readilyapparent from the following description and the attached drawings. Inone embodiment of the present invention, an improved floor cleaningdevice comprises a base portion for movement along a surface and ahandle portion pivotally connected to the base. The base portion furtherincludes a suction nozzle and a brush assembly for agitating thesurface, wherein the brush assembly and the nozzle assembly are in afirst position raised off of the surface for vacuuming said surface, andthe nozzle assembly is lowered to a second position contacting thesurface for collecting and picking up liquid and dirt from the surface.

A method for cleaning a surface with a cleaning unit having a suctionnozzle assembly for picking up particles on said surface is alsodisclosed. The method comprises the steps of raising the nozzle assemblyoff the surface and moving the cleaning unit along the surface to pickup loose particles on the surface. Then, the nozzle is lowered tocontact the surface and cleaning solution is applied to the surface. Thecleaning unit is then moved along the surface to collect and pick upparticles and cleaning solution on the surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with referenceto the attached drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the hard floor cleaning unit of oneembodiment according to the present invention;

FIG. 2A is an exploded view of the bottom portion of the base assemblyof the hard floor cleaning unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2B is an exploded view of the front upper portion of the baseassembly of the hard floor cleaning unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2C is an exploded view of the rear upper portion of the baseassembly of the hard floor cleaning unit of FIG. 1 with the carriageassembly included for illustrative purposes;

FIG. 3A is an exploded view of the handle assembly of the hard floorcleaning unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3B is an exploded view of the upper handle portion of the handleassembly of the hard floor cleaning unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3C is an elevational view taken along line 3C-3C of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational cross sectional view taken verticallythrough the lower portion of the hard floor cleaning unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational cross sectional view taken verticallythrough the upper portion of the hard floor cleaning unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the nozzle assembly for the hard floorcleaning unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the nozzle assembly taken along line 7-7of FIG. 2B;

FIG. 8A is a partial sectional view of the base assembly of the hardfloor cleaning unit taken along line 8C-8C of FIG. 1, but with the slidelatches slid outwardly away from the channel of the frame;

FIG. 8B is a partial sectional view similar to FIG. 8A, except that theslide latches are slide inwardly into the channel of the frame;

FIG. 8C is a partial sectional view taken of the base assembly of thehard floor cleaning unit taken along line 8C-8C of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9A is a sectional view of the base assembly taken along line 9A-9Aof FIG. 8B.

FIG. 9B is a sectional view similar to FIG. 9A except that the slidelatch is slid inwardly to the position shown in FIG. 8C;

FIG. 10A is a bottom front perspective view of the base assembly of thefloor cleaning unit of FIG. 1 with the nozzle assembly and brush blockassembly removed for illustrated purposes;

FIG. 10B is a view similar to FIG. 10A but with the wheel carriagepivoted in a position further away from the frame of the base assembly.

FIG. 11A is a partial sectional view taken along line 11A-11A of FIG.10B, illustrating the principle elements used to raise and lower thenozzle assembly and brush block assembly of the hard floor cleaning unitof FIG. 1 and to indicate such positions;

FIG. 11B is a view similar to FIG. 11A but with the left pedal depressedto move the slide block outwardly to raise the nozzle assembly and brushblock assembly;

FIG. 11C is a view similar to FIG. 11B but with the left pedal releasedto allow the spring to move the slide block slightly outward;

FIG. 12 is a partial sectional view of the left pedal taken along 12-12of FIG. 11A.

FIG. 13A is a partial sectional top view of the nozzle lifting assemblyand left pedal taken horizontally through a portion of the slide blockand illustrating the left pedal being depressed to move the slide blockinwardly to raise the nozzle assembly;

FIG. 13B is a view similar to FIG. 13A but with the left pedal releasedand the slide block, rotor, and spring in different positionsillustrating the results from such action;

FIG. 13C is a view similar to FIG. 13A but with the slide block, rotor,and spring in different positions, indicative of the nozzle assemblybeing lowered;

FIG. 14A is a partial front elevational view of the right handle releasepedal, lock plate, lower portion of the handle assembly, and otherelements of the hard floor cleaning unit of FIG. 1 used to releasablylock the handle assembly in the upright position;

FIG. 14B is a view similar to 14A but with the right handle releasepedal depressed to pivot the lock plate away from the right ear of thehandle assembly;

FIG. 15A is an elevational view taken along line 15A-15A of FIG. 14B;

FIG. 15B is a view similar to 15A but with the handle assembly locked inthe upright position;

FIG. 16 is a an elevational view taken along line 16-16 of FIG. 14B;

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary bottom view of the forward portion of the hardfloor cleaning unit of FIG. 1 illustrating the nozzle assembly and brushblock assembly;

FIG. 17A is a sectional view taken along line 17A-17A of FIG. 17;

FIG. 18 is a side diagrammatic side view of the hard floor cleaning unitof FIG. 1;

FIG. 19 is an exploded view of the brush block assembly of the hardfloor cleaning unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 20A is a front top perspective view of the brush block assemblywith the latches and push buttons assembled for removing the brush blockassembly;

FIG. 20B is a view similar to FIG. 20A but with the push buttondepressed and the latches disengaged from the brush block assembly;

FIG. 20C is a view similar to FIG. 20B but with the brush block assemblyseparated from the latches;

FIG. 21 is an exploded view of the distributor with latches of the hardfloor cleaning unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 22 is an elevational view taken along line 22-22 of FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a an exploded view of the nozzle lifting assembly of the hardfloor cleaning unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 24 is an exploded view of the brush motor assembly of the hardfloor cleaning unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 24A is an exploded view taken along line 24A-24A of FIG. 24;

FIG. 25 is an exploded of the recovery tank of the hard floor cleaningunit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 25A is a side elevational view of the lid of the recovery tank ofthe hard floor cleaning unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 25B is a partial sectional view taken along line 25B-25B of FIG.25A;

FIG. 25C is front elevational view of the lid of the recovery tank;

FIG. 26 is an enlarged sectional view of the latch of the recovery tankidentified in FIG. 4;

FIG. 27 is an exploded view of the suction motor assembly of the hardfloor cleaning unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 28 is an exploded view of the power switch assembly of the hardfloor-cleaning unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 29 is an exploded view of the supply tank of the of the hard floorcleaning unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 29 is a sectional view taken along line 19A-29A of FIG. 1;

FIG. 30A is a perspective view of the base assembly of the hard floorcleaning unit of FIG. 1 with the nozzle assembly and cover removed andportions cutaway for illustrative purposes;

FIG. 30B is a view similar to FIG. 30A but with the brush block assemblylowered;

FIG. 30C is an enlarged view of the cut away portion of FIG. 30A, butwith the brush block assembly locked in the raised position;

FIG. 30D is a view similar to FIG. 30A but with a compression springbeing used to bias the indicator plate instead of a torsion spring;

FIG. 31 is an elevational view taken along line 31-31 of FIG. 30C;

FIG. 31A is a sectional view taken along line 31A-31A of FIG. 31;

FIG. 31B is a view similar to FIG. 31A but with the brush lifting lever,pocket portion, cable and other related elements in a position thatlowers the brush block assembly;

FIG. 32 is a partial front sectional view of the upper portion of thelower body shell of the hard floor cleaning unit of FIG. 1 with portionsremoved for illustrative purposes;

FIG. 32A is a view similar to FIG. 32 but with the cap in a position tocauses depression of the push button microswitch to energize the brushmotor;

FIG. 33 is a partial sectional view taken along line 33-33 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 33A is view similar to FIG. 33 but showing different means tosecure the spring to the slide button;

FIG. 34 is fragmentary perspective view of a hard floor cleaning unitaccording to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 34A is an exploded view of the hard floor cleaning unit of FIG. 34;

FIG. 35 is perspective view taken along line 35-35 of FIG. 34 with theframe, nozzle assembly, and cover removed for illustrative purposes;

FIG. 36 is a partial elevational view taken along line 36-36 of FIG. 34with the nozzle assembly removed and portions of the frame cut away forillustrative purposes;

FIG. 37A is a sectional view taken along line 37A-37A of FIG. 35;

FIG. 37B is a view similar to FIG. 37A but with the pedal depressed;

FIG. 38 is a perspective view of still another embodiment of the hardfloor cleaning unit according to the present invention;

FIG. 39A is a right perspective view of the base assembly of the hardfloor cleaning unit of FIG. 38 with the cover and central duct removedfor illustrative purposes; and

FIG. 39B is a left perspective view of the base assembly of the hardfloor cleaning unit of FIG. 38 with the cover and central duct removedfor illustrative purposes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of anupright hard floor-cleaning unit 40 of one embodiment of the presentinvention. The hard floor cleaning unit 40 comprises an upright handleassembly 42 pivotally connected to the rear portion of a base assembly44 that moves and cleans along a surface. In particular, as shown inFIG. 2C, a pair of trunnions 46, laterally extending from respectiveright and left ears 48, 49 integrally formed on the lower end on thehandle assembly 42, journal into caps 50 mounted on the rear of theframe 52 of the base assembly 44 to form the pivotal connection.Referring back to FIG. 1, the base assembly 44 includes a nozzleassembly 62 for recovery particles and/or fluid from the floor and abrush block assembly 216 (FIG. 2A) for scrubbing the floor. The handleassembly 42 includes a recovery tank 53 for collecting the particlesand/or fluid picked up by the nozzle assembly 62 and a solution tank 43containing cleaning solution for distribution on the floor.

Generally, the hard floor cleaning unit 40 can be used for two modes ofcleaning, the dry and wet mode as best illustrated in FIG. 18. In thedry mode, the nozzle assembly 62 and brush block assembly 216 are raisedto allow pick up of large loose particles. In the wet mode as shown bythe phantom lines, the nozzle assembly 62 is lowered to collect thefluid and pick it up. Also, in the wet mode, the brush block assembly216 can be lowered, if desired, to scrub the floor. Both the nozzleassembly 62 and brush block assembly 216 are removable from the baseassembly 42. Further details of the cleaning unit 40 are discussedbelow.

Turning to the lower portion of the base assembly 42 as shown in FIG.2A, the frame 52 is generally unitary molded and includes two laterallydisplaced rear wheels 54. Each wheel 54 is rotatably connected to acantilevered axle 56 that is journaled into the frame 52 and retainedtherein by an e-ring 58 secured around the axle 56. Soft elastomerictires 60 are molded over the wheels 54 to prevent the scratching onvarious floor surfaces. Elastomeric bumper strips 51 are overmolded onthe lower edges of frame 52 surrounding the brush block assembly 216.

As depicted in FIGS. 6 and 7, the nozzle assembly 62 includes anelastomeric squeegee 66 attached around a retainer 76 that is mounted tothe bottom of the translucent nozzle body 68. The nozzle body 68 iscomposed of a rigid material such as, for example, plastic. The squeegee66 includes front and rear integrally molded blades or lips 70, 72 (FIG.7) that have bumps 74 along the outer surface of the bottom edges. Thebumps 74 raise the leading squeegee lip to allow air and liquid to flowbeneath the lip between the bumps. Yet, the trailing lip bends out andcleanly wipes the floor with its inside straight edge to keep liquid inthe high suction area between the lips 70, 72. The bumps are formed onlyadjacent the bottom edges of the lips 70, 72, so that there is arelatively thin cross section of each of the lips 70, 72 between thebumps 74 and bottom edge of the nozzle body 68. This provides a highlyflexible thin section in the bending area for good wiping action for thetrailing lip and to insure the leading lip bends sufficiently to raiseit on the bumps 74. Such a design is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,520,012;the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Integrallymolded with the squeegee 66 is a bumper or furniture guard 64.

With continued reference to FIG. 6, the squeegee 66 is attached aroundthe frame 80 of the elongated retainer 76 by over molding it therearound. Integrally formed retaining tabs 81 are seated in slots formedin the frame 80 to provide added reinforcement. The retainer 76 includesa plurality of separator plates 78 integrally molded between the frontand rear portions of the frame 80 of the retainer 76. A pair of mountingmembers 82 is integrally molded on opposite sides of the frame 80 at itsupper side and have apertures 84 for receiving screws 88. Acylindrically shaped spacer 86 is integrally molded on the centerseparator plate 78 of the retainer 76. The nozzle body 68 has a pair ofbosses 90 with inner longitudinal bores 94 extending downwardly from theunderside of the nozzle body 68 on opposite sides. The retainer 76 andsqueegee 66 are inserted into the underside of the nozzle body 68 suchthat the apertures 84 of the mounting members 82 register with the bores94 in the bosses 90 and a rear central aperture 92 of the nozzle body 68registers with a lateral aperture 96 of the spacer 86. Screws 88 arethen inserted through the apertures 84 of the mounting members 82 andthrough the bores 94 in the bosses 90. A screw 89 is also insertedthrough the rear central aperture 92 of the nozzle body 68 and thelateral aperture 96 in the spacer 86 of the retainer 76. The spacer 86and separator plates 78 maintain alignment and sealing of the squeegee66 with the nozzle body 68 to insure proper airflow through them.

As shown in FIG. 17, a channel 98 is formed on the underside of eachmounting member 82 and is flushed or slightly below the nozzle channel100, when the nozzle assembly 62 is placed on the floor, to direct theair and water flow through the nozzle channel 100. The nozzle channel100 converges into a rear centrally located outlet 102 (FIG. 6). Aspacer 86 is attached to the outlet 102 as seen in FIG. 6, and isfluidly connected to a rectangularly shaped translucent base duct orchannel 106 as depicted in FIG. 4. The spacer 86 has a pocket portion 87for engagement by a tongue 85 (also depicted in FIG. 2B) extendingforwardly from the frame 52 for added support of the nozzle assembly 62.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 2B and 4, the floor suction nozzle assembly62 is removably attached to the frame 52 and fluidly connected to a baseduct 106. The base duct 106 comprises upper and lower portions that arewelded together. An elastic flexible grommet 108 for sealing is fittedaround the front inlet of the base duct 106 to seal the passagewaybetween the spacer 104 and base duct 106 when they are fluidly connectedtogether.

Referring back to FIG. 6, the nozzle assembly 62 includes a pair ofslide latches 110 on opposite sides of the nozzle assembly 62 forremovably securing the nozzle assembly 62 to the frame 52 (FIG. 2B).Specifically, each slide latch 110 includes a lateral tongue member 112that is slidingly inserted into a holder 114 attached to the rear sideof the nozzle body 68. The upper button portion 122 of the latch 110includes a hook 116 depending downwardly therefrom that engages a stopmember 118, projecting on the upper surface of the holder 114, toprevent the latch 110 from disengaging from the holder 114. An ovalshaped recess 120 is formed in the top surface of the upper buttonportion 122 for engagement by a user. With reference to FIGS. 9A and 9B,the tongue member 112 includes a slot 128 formed therein for slidinglyreceiving a u-shaped protrusion 124 formed on the upper surface of afront step 123 of the frame 52. The tongue member 112 includes anL-shaped guide rib 126 integrally formed on its underside and extendinginwardly from the outer end of the tongue member 112.

When connecting the nozzle assembly 62 (FIG. 2B) to the frame 52, eachslide latch 110 is first slid outwardly until the hook 116 engages thestop member 118 as best illustrated in FIG. 8A. The nozzle assembly 62is then positioned so that the spacer 104 is aligned with the grommet108 as previously mentioned. As seen in FIG. 8B, each latch 110 is thenslid inwardly so that the tongue member 112 extends partially through alateral channel 130 formed in the frame 52. As the slide latch 110 isslid further, the hook 116 cams against a beveled channel rib 132 on thetop wall 133 of the channel 130, deflecting upwardly over the channelrib 132 and catching it as shown in FIG. 8C. Also, as depicted in FIGS.9A and 9B, when each latch 110 is slid inwardly to lock the nozzleassembly 62 to the base 94, the rib 126 cams against the beveledprotrusion 124 to guide or move the nozzle assembly 62 rearward, asdepicted by the arrows in FIG. 9B, such that it forms a close fit to theframe 52, thereby sealingly engaging the spacer 104 to the grommet 108as seen in FIG. 4.

Referring to FIGS. 10A, 10B, 11A-C, 13A-C and 23, a lifting mechanism134 raises and lowers the nozzle assembly 62 (FIG. 6) for use inrespective dry and wet modes. As depicted in FIGS. 10A and 10B, thelifting mechanism 134 includes a wheel carriage assembly 136 positionedin a complimentary recessed area formed in the bottom side of the frame52 and pivotally connected at the rearward end of the recessed area bytrunnions 137 (FIG. 23).

Referring to FIG. 23, the wheel carriage assembly 136 also includes twopairs of wheels 138 in contact with the floor with each pair riding onstainless steel axles 131 that are snapped into the bottom of the base140 of the wheel carriage assembly 136 about a horizontal axis. Thewheels 138 have soft over molded treads to prevent scratching on variousfloor surfaces. Further, adjacent front and rear wheels 138 are spacedfrom each other to keep the nozzle level when traveling over unevenportions of the floor such as grout lines. The top side 142 of the base140 of the wheel carriage assembly 136 has a raised unshaped frame 144for securely receiving a coiled compression spring 146. An arm isintegrally formed with the top side 142 of the base 140 and extendsupwardly. A rotor 148 is rotatably connected to the top side 142 of thebase 140 through a boss or bearing 150.

A slide block 152 is slidably mounted to the top side 142 of the base140 by screws 143 extending through a pair of elongated longitudinalslots 147 and threading into a pair of bosses 145. The screws 143 extendthrough washers 133, which are positioned between the slide block 152and heads 151 of the screws 143. The washers 133 are secured to thescrews 143 by suitable means such as, for example, welding. The washers133 radially extend beyond the front and rear ends 127, 129 of the slots147 to secure the slide block 152 to the top side 142 of the base 140.Thus, the slide block slides along the longitudinal axis of the slots147, yet is secured to the base 140 of the wheel carriage 136. The slideblock 152 is fitted over the rotor 148, spring 146 and frame 144securing them thereto. A pair of ramp portions 154 is formed on the topside 142 of the slide block 152 for camming against a corresponding pairof cam followers 156 (FIGS. 10A and 10B), extending downwardly from theframe 144 of the base assembly 44, depending on the longitudinalposition of the slide block 152.

As illustrated in FIG. 2C, a foot pedal 158 is hinged to the frame 52 ofthe base assembly 44 at its inner end and has a leg 160 dependingdownwardly from the bottom of the pedal 158. A torsion spring 162,secured between the inner end of the foot pedal 158 and frame 52,upwardly biases the foot pedal 158. In particular, as best illustratedin FIG. 12, the torsion spring 162 is inserted around a pin 161integrally molded to the inner side of the pedal 158. Alternatively, thespring 162 could be seated into a recessed portion of the frame 52 asseen in FIG. 30D. The leg 160 terminates outwardly adjacent a strikemember 153 depending upwardly on the left end of the slide block 152 asbest illustrated in FIGS. 10A and 11A. Depressing the pedal 158downwardly rotates the leg 160 to engage the strike member 153 andlaterally push the sliding block 152 such that the ramp portions 154engage the cam followers 156, which ride up the ramp portions 154 asbest depicted in FIG. 11B. This action moves the frame 52 upwardly withrespect to the wheel carriage assembly 136, pivoting at the rear end ofthe wheel carriage assembly 136 as depicted in FIG. 10B. Hence, thenozzle assembly 62 is raised off the floor as shown in FIG. 18. Asdepicted in FIG. 11C, the frame 52 remains in the raised position due tothe rotor 148 position, after the pedal 158 is released and urgedupwardly back by the torsion spring 162 (FIG. 12). Depressing the pedal158 again permits the spring 146 (FIG. 23) to move the sliding block 152back outwardly in the lateral direction so that the cam followers 156ride down the ramp portions 154 and lower the frame 52 as seen in FIGS.11A and 10B. Thus, the nozzle assembly 62 lowers on the floor as shownby the phantom lines of FIG. 18.

In particular, as illustrated in FIGS. 13A, 13B, and 13C, the rotor 148engages respective front and rear rib cages 164, 166 formed on theunderside of the sliding block 152 to perform these actions.Specifically, as depicted in FIG. 13A, when the leg 160 of the pedal158, upon being depressed, pushes the sliding block 152 laterally inwardto raise the nozzle assembly 62 (FIG. 18), the front rib cage 164 willengage a first notch 168 on the rotor 158 to rotate the rotor 148. Therotor 148 is rotated until a second notch 170 of the rotor 148 engagesthe rear rib cage 166 as depicted in FIG. 13B. When the pedal 158 isreleased, which disengages the leg 160 from the strike member 153, thecoiled compression spring 146 moves the slide block 152 back slightly sothat the rear rib cage 166 rotates the rotor 148 so that the front ribcage 164 is aligned with the outer side 171 of the rotor 148 between thenotches, 168, 170. In this position the engagement of the rear rib cage166 with the second notch 170 prevents further rotation of rotor 148.

Depressing the pedal 158 again, moves the slide block 152 inwardly suchthat the rear rib cage 166 moves out of the way of the second notch 170and the front rib cage 164 engages the outer side 171 of the rotor 148rotating it such that the second notch 170 rotates past the rear ribcage 166. At this position as shown in FIG. 13C, there is nointerference to prevent the slide block 152 from moving back to itsoriginal position. Thus, upon releasing the pedal 158, the coiledcompression spring 146 moves the slide block 152 outward. This actionlowers the nozzle assembly 62 as depicted by the phantom lines in FIG.18. It should be apparent that upon depressing the pedal 158 again toraise the nozzle assembly 62, the front rib cage 164 now engages thesecond notch 170 and the first notch 168 engages the rear rib cage 166but in all other aspects the raising and lowering operation will besimilar, since the notches are similarly shaped. Alternatively, a pinindex mechanism could be substituted for the rotor 148.

As depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2C, a hood or cover 172 snap fits onto theframe 52 and includes dry mode and wet mode openings or windows 174 and176, respectively, for viewing a colored area on the top surface of anindicator plate 178 (FIG. 2B) to inform the user that the hard floorcleaner is in either the dry mode or wet mode. In particular as shown inFIG. 2B, the indicator plate 178 is spring loaded and rotatablyconnected on the frame via an integrally formed pin 180 (FIGS. 11A-C)extending downwardly through an aperture in the frame 52 near the leftside of the frame 52 rearwardly adjacent the nozzle assembly 62. Theindicator plate 178 further includes a downwardly depending leg 179extending through a curved guide slot 184 formed in the frame 52. Atorsion spring 182 is inserted around a raised hub portion 181integrally molded on the top of the indicator plate 178.

Referring to FIGS. 11A-C, the spring has its front end 186 extendinginto a protrusion 187 formed on top of the frame 52 and its rear end 185extending, into a rear aperture in the indicator plate 178 of thespring. With this arrangement, the spring 182 urges the leg 179 of theindicator plate 178 inwardly against an upper inner offset portion 183of the striking portion 153 on the left end of the slide block 152. Inoperation, when the slide block 152 moves' laterally inward to raise thenozzle assembly 62 (FIG. 18), the leg 179, urged by the spring 179,slides inwardly along the curved guide slot 184 to the position shown inFIG. 11C. Hence, the indicator plate 178 rotates to the position shownin FIG. 30A such that the colored area of the indicator plate 178 ispositioned under the dry mode opening 174 (FIG. 1). When the slide block152 is moved laterally outward to lower the nozzle assembly 62 (FIG.18), the leg 179, urged by the spring 179, slides outwardly along thecurved guide slot 184 to the position shown in FIG. 11A thereby rotatingthe indicator plate 178 to the position shown in FIG. 30B such that thecolored area of the indicator plate 178 is positioned under the wet modeopening 176. Alternatively, as depicted in FIG. 30D, a compressionspring 182′ with one end inserted round the hub portion 181 indicatorplate 178 and the other end inserted around the protrusion 187 could beused instead of the torsion spring 182.

Also, the nozzle assembly 62 is raised when the handle assembly 42 ispivoted in the upright position to prevent deformation of the squeegee66 during storage as depicted by the phantom lines in FIG. 4.Specifically as depicted in FIG. 2C, the left ear 49 extending from thebottom of the handle assembly 42 interfaces with a raised left cammember 188 on the top of the wheel carriage assembly 136. In operation,as depicted in FIG. 16, when the handle assembly 42 is pivoted in theupright position, the ear 49 cams against the cam member 188 to raisethe frame 52 (FIG. 2C) from the wheel carriage 136.

As depicted in FIG. 2C, a lock plate 190 is pivotally connected to theframe 52 via a central lever 192 and includes an inwardly extending stopmember 194 to prevent the handle assembly 42 from inadvertently pivotingback down. In particular, with reference to FIGS. 15A and 15B, a torsionspring 196, inserted around the lever 198, is secured between the frame52 and lock plate 190 and biases the stop member 194 to extend inwardlyand abut the right ear 48. As the handle assembly 42 is raised as shownin FIG. 15A, the curved portion 208 of the right ear 48 cams against thestop member 194 deflecting it downwardly until the stop member 194catches the flat front side 204 of the right ear 48. At this position asshown in FIG. 15B, the stop member 194 is flexed back from the biasingforce of the spring 196 and laterally abuts the straight front side 204of the right ear 48, preventing the handle assembly 42 from moving backdown. The front side of the lock plate 190 interfaces with the frame 52providing a limit for twisting or deflection of the handle assembly 42.This places the lock plate 190 in compression.

As shown in FIG. 2C, a handle release pedal 206, hinged to the frame 52at its inner end, is provided to move the stop member 194 out of the wayof the right ear 48 to allow the handle assembly 42 to pivot downwardly.In particular, as best illustrated in FIGS. 14A and 14B, upon depressingthe pedal 206, a downwardly depending leg 210 of the pedal 206 camsupwardly against an outwardly extending tongue member 212 of the lockplate 190, thereby pivoting the stop member 202 downwardly and outwardlyaway from the right ear 48. Thus, the handle assembly 42 is free topivot downward and lower. A torsion spring 214, secured between theinner end of the foot pedal 206 and frame 52 (FIG. 2C), urges the handlerelease pedal 206 back up to its original position. In particular, asbest illustrated in FIG. 15B, the torsion spring 214 is inserted arounda pin 215 integrally molded to the inner side of the pedal 206.Alternatively, the spring 214 could be seated into a recessed portion ofthe frame 52.

As depicted in FIG. 2A, a brush block assembly 216 is removably securedto the base assembly 44 for agitating the surface to be clean. Inparticular, as depicted in FIG. 19, the brush block assembly 216comprises a brush support plate 218 having six spaced apart openings220A, 220B, 220C, 220D, 220E, and 220F. Fixedly received within theopenings 220 are bushings 222A, 222B, 222C, 222D, 222E, and 222F whichin turn rotatingly receive axial shafts 224A, 224B, 224C, 224D, 224E,and 224F of gear brushes 226A, 226B, 226C, 226D, 226E, and 226F. Thegear brushes 226A-F rotate on a vertical axis. A drive shaft 225 havinga square cross section is welded to the axial shaft 224B of the gearbrush 224B adjacent the right outer brush 224A. Each of the gear brushes226 is basically configured as a spur gear having ten teeth 228 thatintermesh such that when one gear brush 226 rotates, all other gearbrushes 226 rotate accordingly. The center hub of gear brushes 226 formsa hollow downwardly projecting cup 230 having a multiplicity of openings232 circumscribing the bottom thereof.

During manufacturing of the brush assembly 216, the gear brush axialshafts 224 are first inserted into the appropriate bushing 222 and withgear brushes 226 in their uppermost position and, with gear teeth 228intermeshed between the gears brushes 226. Each gear tooth 228 has ablind bore, extending to offset 233 into which bristle bundles 234 arecompressively inserted. Bristle bundles 235 are also compressivelyinserted into the front corners of the brush support plate 218 for edgecleaning.

Further, as seen in FIG. 17, closely packed bristle bundles 237 are alsocompressively inserted into blind bores located in the center of each ofthe gear brushes 226 for added agitation and cleaning in the middle ofthe gear brush 226. Specifically, an outer ring of nine bristle bundles237 concentrically surrounds an inner ring of five bristle bundles 237.The spacing of adjacent bristle bundles 237 located in the center of thegear is shorter than the bristle bundles 234 in the offset portion 233.The center bristle bundles 237 provide several features. They supportthe brush block assembly 216, preventing it from tilting, therebypromoting the application of even pressure on the floor from all of thebristle bundles 234, 235, and 237. Such support also significantlyreduces the deflection or bending of the outer bristle bundles, therebysignificant minimizing the spraying or splattering of the cleaningsolution from them. They further add to the brush or bristle density ofthe brush block assembly 216, thereby providing more scrubbing on thefloor. Each bristle 239 is crimped instead of straight so that when thebundles are formed, more scrubbing coverage is provided. Such crimpingon the bristles in the bundles also reduces deflection of the bristlesas they scrub, thereby minimizing the spraying or splattering ofcleaning solution from the bristles.

Referring back to FIG. 19, a gear guard 236 snap fits into a brushsupport plate 218. Specifically, upwardly extending locking tabs 238 onthe gear guard 236 catch onto steps 240 integrally molded to the lowersurface of the brush support plate 218. During assembly of the gearguard 236 to the brush support plate 218, the locking tabs 238 deflectlaterally extending cantilevered tangs 242 integrally formed in thebrush support plate 218 to allow the locking tabs 238 to extendtherethrough. The tangs 242 will then flex back to their initialposition, closely adjacent the locking tabs 238, to prevent the lockingtabs 238 from disengaging off of the steps 240.

With continue reference to FIG. 19, the brush support plate 218 includesa plurality of troughs 244A, 244B, 244C, 244D for receiving the cleaningsolution that flows from a distributor 246 (FIG. 2A) positioned thereon.Cleaning solution received in the troughs 244 flows through openings 248in them and into the center cups 230 of the brushes 226. Once depositedwithin the brush cup 230, the cleaning solution flows outward toward thesurface being cleaned through openings 232 in the bottom of the brushcups. The cups 230 contain the cleaning solution as the gear brushes 226rotate and thus prevent solution from being sprayed outward over the topof the gear brush. The gear guard 236 is designed to withstand impactand prohibit cleaning solution from resting on its inner lip 231. Inparticular, the bottom surface 241 of the inner lip 231, inclinesdownwardly to the edge of the inner lip 231 to direct the flow ofcleaning solution off the inner lip 231.

Further, as depicted in FIG. 17A, the bottom side 259 of each of the twoinner troughs 244B, 244C is gabled or convexly curved from left to rightto direct the flow of cleaning solution to the openings 248. The bottomside 261 of each of the outer troughs 244A, 244D is inclined downwardlyto the opening 248 to also direct the flow of cleaning solution to theopening 248. As depicted in FIG. 2A, the distributor 246 is positionedon the brush support plate 218 and includes respective upper and lowerplates 250, 252 sealingly secured to each other by, for example, hotplate welding them together. The brush support plate 218 includesrespective front and rear stop members 254, 255 positioned closelyadjacent the front and rear ends of the distributor 246 to limit thefront and rear lateral movement of the brush block assembly 216 withrespect to the distributor 246. Additionally, front and rear lateralextensions 256 (FIG. 22) of the lower plate 252 are seated betweenadjacent right and left center stop members 257, 258, respectively toaid in minimizing lateral movement of the brush block assembly 216 alongits longitudinal axis with respect to the distributor 246.

Referring to FIG. 21, the lower plate 252 of the distributor 246 has achannel 260 with orifices 262 formed therein. The orifices are alignedover the troughs 244 of the brush support plate 218. The upper plate 250includes a tubular elbow connector 245 welded onto the upper surface ofthe upper plate 250. The elbow connector 245 is fluidly connected to thedistributor supply hose 328. The outlet of the elbow connector 245 isaligned over a rear branch 261 of the channel of the lower plate 252.Cleaning solution flows from the supply hose 328 through the elbowconnector 245 to a rear branch 264 of the channel 260 and then throughthe orifices 262 to the troughs 244 (FIG. 19). A pair of hooks 710integrally molded with the upper plate 250 of the distributor 246extends from its upper surface.

As depicted in FIG. 2A, the brush block assembly 216 is removablyconnected to the distributor 246 and both are received in acomplementary cavity 265 formed on the underside of the frame 52rearwardly adjacent the nozzle assembly 62. The hooks 710 of thedistributor 246 hang onto forwardly extending arms 714 of a brushlifting lever 718 which is positioned on the frame 52, therebyfloatingly supporting the distributor 246 and brush block assembly 216to the frame 52. The mechanism to remove the brush block assembly 216 isdescribed as follows. A pair of latch members 266, 267 are rotatablyconnected to the lower plate 252. The latches are mirror images withrespect to each other, but are similar in all other respects. Thus,similar reference numbers in them will be used to describe similarparts. Referring to FIG. 21, for ease of assembly, each latch member 266comprises a center circular key portion 268 with opposite extensions 270that are received in a complimentary slot 272 formed in the lower plate252. As depicted in FIG. 22, the bottom surface 251 of the lower plate252 has diagonally opposite front and rear ramps 274, 276 and diagonallyopposite protrusions 282, 284 formed thereon.

As best illustrated in FIG. 21, when installed, the key portion 268 isaligned and inserted into slot 272, and the latch member 266 or 267 isturned flexing slightly outward from the lower plate 252 as its uppersurface rides up on respective diagonally opposite front and rear ramps274, 276 (FIG. 22). As depicted in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the latch member266 or 267 is turned until radially extending opposite front and rearlegs 278, 280, respectively, are seated between the vertical walls oftheir corresponding ramps 274, 276 and front and rear protrusions 282,284 formed on the lower plate 252. As best illustrated in FIG. 21, theextensions 270 will extend over the lower surface of the lower plate 252interlocking the latch member 266 or 267 to the lower plate 252 therebypreventing it from vertically separating from the lower plate 252 andriding up over the ramps 274, 276 (FIG. 22). Each of the front legs 278has a nub 293 integrally molded on its upper surface. The front and rearlegs 278, 280 also have respective front and rear elastic L-shapedfingers 286, 288 extending inwardly from the distal ends of the legs andlocated on diagonally opposite ends of the latch member 266 or 267. Asseen in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the fingers 286, 288 abut the respectiveprotrusions 282, 284 thereby providing a biasing force. Thus, theelasticity of the fingers 286, 288 will allow the latch member 266 or267 to rotate when sufficient lateral force is applied to overcome thebiasing force of the fingers 286, 288.

As depicted in FIG. 19, the brush support plate 218 includes two pairsof integrally molded front and rear hook members 290, 292 extendingupwardly from its upper surface. The nose 294 of the front hook member290 is oriented inwardly and the nose of the rear member 292 is orientedoutwardly, opposite to that of the front hook member 290. As bestillustrated in FIGS. 20A, 20B, and 20C, each pair is associated with alatch member 266 or 267. The front and rear hook members 290, 292slidingly engage the upper surface of front and rear legs 278, 280,respectively. The front and rear hook members 290, 292 associated witheach latch member 266 or 267 are also located diagonally across fromeach other.

Referring to FIG. 2B, a pair of push buttons 296 is used to disengagethe hook members 290, 292 from the latch members 266, 267. Inparticular, each button 296 is hinged to the frame 52 by a pin 297integrally molded on the inner end of the button 296 with respect to theframe 52. Each button 296 further includes an integrally moldedcantilevered finger 298 extending laterally inward from the inner end. Acap 295 snap fits on the frame 52 over the finger 298 and pin 297thereby securing the button 296 to the frame 52. The finger 298 biasesthe button 296 upwardly. The button 296 has a leg 299 dependingdownwardly with respect to the frame 52 from the underside of the button296. As best depicted in FIGS. 20A and 20B, the leg 299 terminatesadjacent the outer side of the nub 293 of the front leg 278 of the latchmember 266 or 267. The nub 293 ensures that the leg 299 engages thelatch member 266 or 267 when the button 296 is depressed. Thus, as shownin FIG. 20B, when each button 296 is depressed with sufficient force toovercome the biasing force of the finger 298 of the button 296, itpivots about the pin 297 and moves the leg 299 of the button 296inwardly. The movement of leg 299 inwardly moves the latch member 266 or267 to laterally rotate in a direction such that its front and rear legs278, 280, respectively, slidingly disengage from their respective hooks,when sufficient lateral force is imparted to the front leg 278 of thelatch member 266 or 267 to overcome the biasing force of the fingers286, 288 (FIG. 21) of the latch member 266 or 267.

Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 20C, upon such disengagement, the brushblock assembly 216 freely falls out of the cavity 265 (FIG. 2A) bygravity. When the buttons 296 are no longer depressed, the biasing forcefrom the fingers 286, 288 of the latch members 266, 267 and fingers 298of the buttons 296 cause the buttons 296 and latch members 266, 267 toreturn to their initial positions. As best illustrated in FIG. 2A, thebrush block assembly 216 is reinstalled to the latch members 266, 267 bysimply positioning the brush block assembly 216 in the cavity, aligningthe drive shaft 225 with the gear opening of a brush motor assembly 500,and pushing the brush block assembly 216 upwardly until the hook members290, 292 catch or engage the legs 278, 280 of the latch members 266,267. In particular, each of the hook members 290, 292 includes anincline portion 291 (FIG. 19) on each of their noses 294 (FIG. 19) thatrides along its corresponding leg 278 or 280, thereby rotating-each ofthe legs 278, 280 away from the nose 294 allowing the nose 294 to passthrough. After the nose 294 passes through, the biasing force of thefingers 286, 288 will rotate the latch so that the legs slidingly engagethe hook members 290, 292 underneath the nose 294.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the brush motor assembly 500 is mounted on theunderside of the frame 52 directly above the wheel carriage assembly136. Turning to FIG. 24, the brush motor assembly 500 comprises agenerally L-shaped motor housing 502 that includes an upper cover 504that is snap connected to the lower cover 506. In particular, unshapedlocking tabs 503 integrally formed on the upper cover 504 engage catches505 formed on the lower cover 506. Screws (not shown) secure the brushmotor assembly 500 to the frame 52. Seated within the housing 502 is agrounded, internally rectified DC motor 508 and a gear train 510. A worm512 is press fitted onto the shaft 514 of the motor 508. A worm gear 516having thirty teeth 518 is mounted on an axial shaft 519 and engages theworm 512. A spur gear 522 is also mounted on the axial shaft 519 abovethe worm gear 516.

Referring to FIG. 24A, the central hub 524 of the worm gear 516 definesan upwardly extending hollow cylindrical portion that has three notches526 formed at its distal end. The spur gear 522 has a hub portion 523formed on its underside in which three integrally molded ribs 528 extendradially therefrom. The ribs 528 engage the notches 526 so that the wormgear 516 can rotate the spur gear 522. Turning back to FIG. 24, theaxial shaft 520 is press into pockets 530 formed in the lower cover 506and received in pockets 530 formed in the upper cover 504 to balance andminimize wobbling of the worm gear 516, thereby maintaining engagementof the teeth 517 with the worm 512 as the worm gear 516 rotates. Theworm gear 516 generally has the largest diameter and the most teeth ofthe gears in the gear train 510 so as to provide speed reduction.Although the present worm gear 516 has thirty teeth 518, the diameterand number of teeth can be altered to provide the desired speedreduction.

The teeth 518 of the spur gear 522 intermesh with teeth 518 of anadjacent spur gear 522 which in turn intermeshes with teeth 518 of anadjacent spur gear 522 which finally intermeshes with teeth 518 of theremaining spur gear 532. The middle spur gears 522 have axial shafts 520which are also pressed into pockets 530 formed in the lower cover 506and received in pockets 530 formed in the upper cover 504 to minimizewobbling and maintain engagement with their respective adjacent spurgears 522, 532. The last spur gear 532 in the gear train 519 has asquare opening for receiving the drive shaft 225 of the gear brush 224in the brush block assembly 216. A power cord 552 electrically connectsthe motor 508 through a microswitch 534 (FIG. 32) to a power source (notshown). Thus, when the motor 508 is energized, the worm 512 rotates theworm gear 516 and hence spur gears 522, 532 which in turn rotates thedrive shaft 225. Rotation of the drive shaft 225 then rotates the gearbrushes 226 in the brush block assembly 216 as seen in FIGS. 17A and 19.

Referring to FIG. 3A, handle assembly 42 basically comprises an upperhandle portion 312, lower body shell 314. The upper handle portion 312tapers upwardly into a narrow closed looped handgrip 372 at its upperend. A carrying handgrip 308 is also snap connected into the rear wallof the upper handle portion 312 to aid in carrying the hard floorcleaning unit 40. A front cover 311 is secured to the lower body shell314. An upper cord holder 310 is snap connected into the rear wall ofthe upper handle portion 312 as also illustrated in FIG. 5. A lower cordholder 303 is screwed to the rear wall of the lower body shell 314.

A combined air/water separator and recovery tank 53 is removably seatedwithin a cavity 306 of the lower body shell 314 upon the bottom side ofthe lower body shell 314. A bottom cover 535 of the recovery tank 53screws into the lower body shell 314. As depicted in FIG. 4, positionedrearwardly of the recovery tank 53 is a corrugated translucent plastichose 536 and recovery duct 538. The hose 536 is fluidly connecteddownstream to the translucent recovery duct 538 by a connector 540 andis sealed thereto by an O-ring 542 (FIG. 3A). A mounting bracket 539(also shown in FIG. 3A) fits over the connector 540 and mounts therecovery duct 538 and hose 536 to the lower body shell 314. The hose 536is fluidly connected upstream to the base duct 106 by a hose mountingbracket 544 mounted to the base duct 106. The hose 536 is flexible,yielding to permit pivoting of the handle assembly 42.

Referring to FIG. 3A, the recovery duct 538 has grooves 546 that snapconnect onto locking tabs 548 (FIG. 3C) extending from the center of therear inner side of the lower body shell 314. The recovery duct 538 isgenerally rectangular shaped and slightly flattened yet laterallyelongated to provide additional room to accommodate the recovery tank 53while allowing adequate flow of liquid and air therethrough. As depictedin FIG. 3C, raised channel portions 549, 550, 551 extend from the centerof the rear inner side of the lower body shell 314 for securelyreceiving the supply tube 328, brush cable 730, and power cord 552,respectively. The translucent recovery duct 538 covers these elementsfor protection, yet provides visibility of these components for service.

Referring to FIG. 25, the recovery tank 53 includes an inverted cupshaped handle 628 integrally molded to its front wall 602. The recoverytank 53 further includes a lid 554 located above the handle 628. The lid554 includes an upper 555 portion mounted to a lower portion 556 with arope seal 578 there between as also seen in FIG. 25A. A rectangularshaped retainer 558 is integrally formed on the top surface of the upperportion 555 of the lid 554 and surrounds the center tank exhaust opening560. An integrally molded screen 582 covers the exhaust opening 560. Apleated filter 562 integrally molded to a seal 564 is seated in theretainer 558. A cover 566 with an outlet opening 568 formed thereincovers the seal 564 and filter 562. The lid 554 is secured to therecovery tank 53 by a lid locking plate 570 and an integrally moldedlocking tang 571 (FIGS. 4 and 25A). The lid locking plate 570 ishingedly snap connected to the lid 554 and has two smaller slots 580 forsecurely receiving locking tabs 572 projecting from the recovery tank 53by a snap connection. As best illustrated in FIG. 4, the locking tang517 engages a groove 573 (FIG. 25) formed on the inner side of the frontwall recovery tank 53. Referring to FIG. 25C, a rear recovery channel574 having right and left outlets 576, 577 is formed in the lowerportion 556 of the lid 554. The channel 574 is in fluid communicationwith the recovery tube inlet 584 that is formed at the top side of thelid 554. The inlet 584 is fluidly connected through a seal 598 (FIG.25A) to the recovery duct 538 as depicted in FIG. 4.

As best illustrated in FIG. 25B, when the hard floor cleaner unit 40 isused in the wet mode, the extracted soiled cleaning liquid enters theinlet 584 and travels downward impinging upon the bottom 590 and innersides of the channel 574 as it moves along the right and left branches586, 588 of the channel 574 to slow down its velocity for air/waterseparation. The bottom 590 of the channel 574 is slightly gabled to aidin directing the liquid to the right and left outlets 576, 577 (FIG.25C). The cross sectional areas of the branches, 586, 588 increasedownstream to further slow down the liquid and help separation.Referring to FIG. 25C, a pair of downwardly depending shields 592R, 592Lextends forwardly from the front wall of the channel 574. As depicted inFIG. 25C, each shield 592 is slightly angled outward and also includesmore pronounced outwardly angled drip edges 594R, 594L on the bottomends. An additional drip edge 596 runs along the rear bottom side of thechannel 574. The shields 592R, 592L and drip edges 594R, 594L, and 596aid in separation of the liquid and minimize the amount of liquidentering the exhaust opening 560. Adjacent the outlets 576, 577 of thechannel 574 are upper deflectors 600R, 600L extending forwardlytherefrom.

As best illustrated in FIG. 4, these deflectors 600R, 600L (FIG. 25C) incombination with the shields 592R, 592L direct a portion of the liquidto impinge onto the inner surface of the front wall 602 of the recoverytank 53 and collect down on the bottom 601 of the recovery tank 53,thereby separating the liquid form the air and thus, minimizing theamount of water near the exhaust opening 560. The remaining portion ofthe liquid exits the duct through the outlets 576, 577 (FIG. 25C) and isimpinged onto their associated inner sidewalls 604R, 604L (FIG. 25) ofthe recovery tank 53 and also collects down on the bottom 601 of therecovery tank 53. Air separated from the liquid flows through theexhaust opening 560, is filtered by the screen 582 and pleated filter562, and exits through the outlet opening 568 (FIG. 25) in the cover566.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 25C, a float assembly 606 comprises a bottomfloat 608 connected by a stem 610 to an upper portion defining a seal612. The seal 612 is pivotally connected to the underside of the lid 554(FIG. 25C) and drops down to open the exhaust opening 560. This designprevents water from traveling from the float 608 to the seal 612. Whenthe liquid level in the recovery tank 53 reaches a full level, the float608 will move upward thereby pivotally moving the seal 612 upward tocover the neck 614 of the exhaust opening 560 as shown in the phantomlines of FIG. 4. In this position, the seal 612 closes the exhaustopening 560 to prevent the liquid from entering the motor area. When thehard floor cleaning unit 40 is used in the dry mode, the large objectsdrawn into the recovery tank 53 by the suction motor assembly 632collect on the bottom 601 and small objects or particles such as dustare filtered out by the screen 583 and pleated filter 562 and preventedfrom entering the motor area.

As previously mentioned, the recovery tank 53 removably securely seatsinto the cavity 306 of the lower body shell 314 as depicted in FIG. 4.In particular, this is accomplished as follows. Referring to FIG. 25, aU-shaped vertically extending shield 616 is integrally molded on the topsurface of the upper portion 555 of the lid 554. A retaining housing orslot 618 is integrally molded to the rear inner side of the shield 616for receiving a spring-loaded latch 620. A coiled spring 622 ispositioned between the top side of the lid 554 and latch 620 to bias thelatch 620 upwardly. A lateral opening 624 in the shield 616 allowsaccess to an arcuate lateral ledge 626 formed on the front of the latch620. As depicted in FIG. 25C, the ledge 626 is positioned near thecenter of the opening for placement of a thumb or finger of a user. Asbest illustrated in FIG. 26, the upper end 630 of the latch 620 isbeveled and cams against the lower edge 304 of the front cover 311 ofthe lower body shell to urge the latch downward as illustrated by thephantom lines, upon placing the recovery tank (FIG. 4) into the cavity306. Once past the lower edge 304, the biasing force in the coiledspring 622 will urge the latch 620 upwardly behind the lower edge 304.This allows the recovery tank 53 to seat into the cavity 306 as shown inFIG. 4. Alternatively, instead of the coiled spring 622, an integrallymolded elastic member extending downwardly from the bottom end of thelatch 620 could also bias the latch 620 upwardly.

Referring to FIG. 4, to remove the recovery tank 53 from the cavity 306in the lower body shell 314, a user grasps the handle 628 with hisfingers and pushes down on the lateral ledge 626 of the latch 620 withhis thumb until the upper end of the latch 620 moves below the loweredge 304 (FIG. 26) of the front cover 311 to unlock the recovery tank 53therefrom. Using the handle 628, the user then pulls the recovery tank53 out of the cavity 306. Referring to FIG. 25, to empty the recoveredliquid from the recovery tank 53, a user lifts the lid locking plate 570outward to unsnap it from the locking tabs 572 thereby unlocking the lid554 from the recovery tank 53, and then simply removes the lid 554 andempties the recovered liquid from the recovery tank 53.

As shown in FIG. 3A suction source in the form of a bypass suction motorassembly 632 is received within the lower body shell 314 and covered bythe front cover 311. In particular with reference to FIGS. 4 and 27, thesuction motor assembly 632 generally comprises a motor/fan mechanism 634that is positioned in a fan housing 636. An elastomeric vibrationmounting O-ring 638 fits around a flange 640 of the fan housing 636. Animpeller 642 is rotatably connected to the bottom of the fan housing 636and extends into an impeller housing 644. The O-ring 638 of the fanhousing 636 rests upon a support step 637 (FIG. 27) of the lowerimpeller housing 644. A gasket 650 is secured around the impellerhousing 644 just below a flange portion 647. As depicted in FIG. 4, thegasket 650 has an annular groove 652 (FIG. 27) that cooperates with asupport ledge 648 integrally formed on the inner side of the front cover311 and lower housing 314 to support the motor/fan mechanism 634.

As depicted in FIG. 4, a motor cover 654 surrounds the motor/fanmechanism 634 and is mounted to the mounting flange 646 of the impellerhousing 644 thereby defining motor cooling exhaust manifolds 656 aroundthe bottom of the fan housing 636. Motor cooling air is drawn through arear vent 658 in the lower body shell 314 to air inlets 661 (FIG. 27) ofthe motor cover and air inlets 662 (FIG. 27) in the fan housing 636 by acooling fan 649 of the motor/fan mechanism 634. The air cools themotor/fan mechanism 634 and exhausts into the exhaust manifolds 656.Referring to FIG. 3A, the heated air then exits upwardly through exhaustair outlets 664 (FIG. 27) in the motor cover 654 and then throughexhaust vents 666 mounted on the front cover 311 of the lower body shell314. The exhaust vents 666 are oriented to direct the air upwardly awayfrom the floor and thereby prohibit any moisture from entering themotor/fan mechanism 634. Turning to FIG. 27, the motor cover 654includes vertical sealing plates 668 positioned adjacent the ends of themanifolds 656 that prevent the exhaust air from entering back up intothe inlets 662 of the fan housing 636.

With continued reference to FIG. 27, the impeller housing 644 includes abottom portion 670 mounted thereto and which includes an opening 678 andan air inlet port 672 aligned over the eye of the impeller 642. A moldedin grilled guard 674 on the bottom of the opening 678 (shown separatedfor illustrative purposes) restricts large objects from entering the eyeof the impeller 642. Referring to FIG. 4, the air inlet port 672 extendsdownwardly to the opening 568 (FIG. 25) in the lid cover 566 of thepleated filter 562. The bottom of the inlet port 672 is beveled toregister with the cover 566 of the filter 562. A gasket 673 is fittedaround the inlet port 672 to seal it to the cover 566. The impeller 642draws clean air filtered by the pleated filter 562 into the inlet port672, where it then exhausts through the side of the impeller 642 andbottom slit in the impeller housing 644, where it is then directeddownward exiting between the recovery tank 53 and the lower body shell314.

As depicted in FIG. 3A main power switch assembly 682 is electricallyconnected to the suction motor assembly 632 and power supply (not shown)and thus, is used to turn on and off the suction motor assembly 632. Theswitch assembly 682 includes a mounting plate 684 (FIG. 28) mounted tothe lower body shell 314 adjacent the motor assembly 632. Referring toFIG. 28, a circuit breaker 686 secured to the mounting plate 684includes a reset button 688 extending up through an opening in the topof the mounting plate 684. Receptacles 685 are attached to prongs 687extending downward from the bottom of the circuit breaker 686. Guidechannels 690A, 690B formed on the mounting plate 684 slidably receives aswitch lever 692. The lever 692 has a flap 694 extending over the resetbutton 688 of the circuit breaker 686. The switch button 696 from aswitch body 698 extends through an aperture 700 in the lever 692 andaperture 702 in the mounting plate 684. A slide button 704 located onthe exterior side of the lower body shell 314 snap fits into a secondaperture 706 formed in the lever 692.

Thus, movement of the slide button 704 longitudinally with respect tothe handle assembly 42 will correspondingly move the switch button 696longitudinally turning it on and off, and also reset the circuit breaker686 when slid down. Thus, when the slide button 704 is slid up to the onposition, the motor 635 in the motor/fan assembly 634 is energize, andwhen the slide button 704 is slid down to the off position, the motor635 is denergized and the flap 694 engages the reset button 688,resetting the circuit breaker 686 when tripped.

As generally illustrated in FIG. 3A, the lower body shell 314 hasintegrally molded therein a top support shelf 318 that has mountedthereto a cleaning solution reservoir assembly 320. Reservoir 320receives and holds a quantity of cleaning solution from a supply tank 43for distribution to the supply tube 328 as further described below. Thehandle assembly 42 is completed by fixedly attaching the upper handle312 to the lower body shell 314 by telescopingly sliding upper handle312 downward such that its lower lip 307 fits into a recess area 309 ofthe front cover 311.

Referring now to FIG. 29A, cleaning solution reservoir assembly 320includes a bottom concave lower basin 324 having a supply tube 328exiting therefrom. Supply tube 328 provides a valved release of cleaningsolution from the reservoir volume 334 and the supply tank 43 to thecleaning solution distributor 246. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 29A, thesupply tube 328 is covered with a jacket 553 within the area of themotor assembly 632 (FIG. 3A) to ensure that no leakage from a possiblerupture of the tube will enter the area.

As depicted in FIG. 29A, a cover plate 332 is sealingly mounted to lowerbasin 324 thereby forming reservoir volume 334 which supply tank 43floods with cleaning solution through inlet port 336. Extending axiallyupward through inlet port 336 is pin 338 which acts to open the supplyvalve 440 of the supply tank 43 as the tank 43 is placed upon thesupport shelf 318 and secured in place. The structure and operation ofthe supply valve 440 is described further below.

Cleaning solution is released, upon operator demand, into tube 328through solution release valve 340 which comprises valve seat 342positioned in basin 324 of bowl 344 integrally formed with top cover332. The basin 324 of bowl 344 extends across discharge port 346 suchthat valve seat 342 is aligned to open thereinto. An opening 348, withinthe wall of bowl 344, permits the free flow of cleaning solution fromreservoir 334 into bowl 344. An elastomeric valve member 350 comprisesan elongate piston 352 extending through valve seat 342 having a bulbousnose 354 at the distal end thereof within discharge port 346. The valvemember 350 is preferably made of an elastomeric material. The oppositeend of piston 352 includes a downwardly sloped circular flange 356, theperipheral end of which frictionally and sealingly engages the uppercircular rim 358 of bowl 344 thereby preventing leakage of cleaningsolution. The flange 356 acts to bias piston 352 upward thereby urgingnose 354 into sealing engagement with valve seat 342 preventing the flowof cleaning solution from bowl 344 into discharge port 346 and tube 328.

The solution release valve 340 is operated by pressing downward upon theelastomeric release valve member 350 by a push rod 360 therebydeflecting the center of flange 356 downward urging nose 354 downwardand away from valve seat 342 permitting the passage of cleaning solutiontherethrough into discharge port 346 and tube 328. Energy stored withinflange 356, as a result of being deflected downward will, upon releaseof the force applied to push rod 360, return the valve to its normallyclosed position as illustrated in FIG. 29A. Such an arrangement issimilar to that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,500,977; the disclosure ofwhich is incorporated by reference.

Referring now to FIGS. 3B and 5, extending upward through handleassembly 42 is the articulated push rod 360. Push rod 360 is positionedwithin the handle assembly 42 by means of integrally molded spacers 364dimensioned and located as necessary. Integrally formed lateral hookarms 367 on the push rod 360 slidingly engage a guide channel 365integrally formed in the inner side of the upper handle 312 andextending longitudinally with respect to the upper handle 312. Thisarrangement aids in guiding the push rod 360 directly over the valvemember 350 (FIG. 29A) as it moves longitudinally. The upper end 366 ofpush rod 360 is pivotally attached to trigger 368. Specifically, alateral pin 371 integrally molded on the trigger pivotally snaps into adetent 363 (FIG. 3B) formed in the upper end 366. The trigger 368 ispivotally attached to the handgrip 372 at a pivot 370. In particular asdepicted in FIG. 3B, the pivot 370 of handgrip 372 snappingly receiveslateral integrally molded pins 370A of trigger 368.

Integrally molded onto trigger 368 and extending upwardly are twoelastic arms 369, one on each lateral side thereof. Elastic arms 369produce a biasing force and urge trigger 368 and the attachedarticulated push rod 360 towards the valve closed mode as illustrated inFIG. 29A. Elastic arms 369 are engineered to support the weight of thepush rod 360 such that no force is applied to elastomeric valve member350 (FIG. 29A). Upon the operator squeezing the trigger 368, elasticarms 369 yield thereby permitting counterclockwise rotation of trigger368 about the pivot 370 with a resulting downward movement of the pushrod 360. Turning to FIG. 29A, this action opens the solution releasevalve 340 causing gravitational flow of cleaning solution from thereservoir 334 to the tube 328. Upon release of the trigger 368 (FIG. 5),energy stored in the system returns the valve 340 to the closed mode.

As best illustrated in FIG. 3A, removably positioned over the topsupport shelf 318 of the lower body shell 314 and top side of the frontcover 311 is a cleaning solution supply tank 43. As seen in FIG. 29,supply tank 43 basically comprises a deeply hollowed upper body 410 anda relatively planer bottom plate 412 which is adhesively secured, aboutits periphery, to the upper body 410. The bottom plate 412 is providedwith suitable recessed areas 413 and 415. As seen in FIG. 3A, theserecessed areas 413, 415 (FIG. 29) index upon and receive thereincorresponding raised portions 313 and 315 on the top side of the frontcover 311 of handle assembly 42, when supply tank 43 is placed thereon.In effect, the raised portions 313, 315 and reservoir 320 support thesupply tank 43. A pair of recessed grip areas 476 formed on oppositesides of the outer wall of the upper body 410 have raised projections orbumps 478 formed thereon to aid in gripping the supply tank 43.

Referring to FIG. 29A, incorporated into bottom plate 412 of tank 43 isthe supply valve 440 comprising valve seat 442 having an elongateplunger 444 extending coaxially upward therethrough. Plunger 444 havingan outside diameter less than the inside diameter of valve seat 442 isprovided with at least two flutes 446 (FIG. 29) to maintain alignment ofplunger 444 within valve seat 442 as plunger 444 axially translatestherein and permits the passage of fluid therethrough when plunger 444is in the open position.

An open frame housing 454 is located atop valve seat 442 having avertically extending bore 456 slidingly receiving therein the uppershank portion of plunger 444. An elastomeric circumferential seal 448circumscribes plunger 444 for sealingly engaging valve seat 442. Seal448 is urged against valve seat 442 by action of compression spring 452,circumscribing plunger 444, and positioned between frame 454 and seal448. The supply valve 440 is normally in the closed position. However,as supply tank 43 is placed upon the support shelf 318 of handle 42, pin338 of the cleaning solution supply reservoir 320 aligns with plunger444 and is received within flutes 446, as best illustrated in FIG. 29A,thereby forcing plunger 444, upward compressing spring 452, and openingvalve seat 442 permitting cleaning solution to flow from the supply tank43 into reservoir 320. Upon removal of the supply tank 43 from supportshelf 318 the energy stored within compression spring 452 closes valveseat 442. A supply tank seal 480 (FIG. 32) seals the supply valve 440upon removal and placement of the supply tank 43 from the support shelf318.

Referring now to FIG. 29, located at the top of the supply tank 43 is afill opening 416 through which the supply tank 43 may be convenientlyfilled with cleaning solution. To assure that the ambient pressurewithin the supply tank 43 remains equal to atmospheric, as cleaningsolution is drawn from the supply tank 43, an elastomeric umbrella valve426 is provided in the top of cap 420 comprising a multiplicity of airbreathing orifices. Referring to FIG. 5, as the ambient pressure withinthe supply tank 43 drops, by discharge of cleaning solution fromtherein, atmospheric pressure acting upon the top side of umbrella valve426 causes the peripheral edge 428 to unseat from surface 432 of cap 420thereby permitting the flow of atmospheric air into the supply tank 43until the ambient pressure therein equals atmospheric. Once the pressureon both sides of the umbrella valve equalize, the energy stored bydeflection of the umbrella valve causes the peripheral edge 428 (FIG.29) to reseat itself against surface 432 thereby preventing leakage ofcleaning solution through orifices during operation of the extractor.

Referring to FIG. 29, cap 420 and flat circular seal 418 sealingly closefill opening 416. Cap 420 incorporates an inverted cup portion 422 whichserves as a convenient measuring cup for mixing an appropriate amount ofconcentrated cleaning solution with water in tank 43. When cap 420 isinverted and used as a measuring cup, liquid pressure against umbrellavalve 426 further urges peripheral edge 428 against surface 432 (FIG. 5)thereby providing a leak free container. Such an arrangement is similarto that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,500,977; the disclosure of which isincorporated by reference.

The solution supply tank 40 includes a tank securement latch 462 ofapproximately similar construction and function as that of the recoverytank to provide a convenient means for removably securing the supplytank from the cavity 468 (FIG. 3A) of the upper handle portion 312 (FIG.3A). Specifically, a retaining housing or slot 458 is mounted to theinner side of the front wall 460 of the supply tank 43 for slidablyreceiving and retaining a spring-loaded latch 462. A coiled spring 464,positioned between the bottom of the retaining housing 458 and latch462, biases the latch 462 upwardly. Additionally, a u-shaped plasticspring 465, integrally formed with latch 462 and extending downwardlyfrom the bottom end of the latch 462, aids in biasing the latch 462upwardly. The upper end 466 of the latch 462 is beveled.

Thus with reference to FIG. 3A, upon insertion of the supply tank 43assembly into the cavity 468, a downward extending rib 470 of the upperhandle 312 just above the cavity 468 cams against the upper end 466urging the latch 462 downward and thereby allowing the supply tank 43 toseat into the cavity 468. Once past the rib 470, the biasing force inthe coiled spring 464 (FIG. 29) will urge the latch 462 upwardly behindthe edge 470 thereby locking the supply tank 43 within the cavity 468. Alateral opening 472 formed in the inner side of the front wall 460allows access to an arcuate laterally extending ledge 474 (also shown inFIG. 29) integrally formed on the front of the latch 462 and positionednear the center of the opening 472 for placement of a thumb or finger ofa user. To remove the supply tank 43 from the cavity 468 in the upperhandle 321, a user grasps the grip areas 476 with his fingers and pushesdown on the ledge 474 of the latch 462 with his index finger until theupper end 466 of the latch 462 moves below the edge 470 to unlock thesupply tank 43 from the cavity 468. Using the grip areas 476, the userthen pulls the supply tank 43 out of the cavity 468. Alternatively, theu-shaped plastic spring 465 could be designed to alone bias the latch462 upwardly.

FIGS. 2A, 30A, 30B, 30C, 31, 31A, 31B, and 32 illustrate the brushlifting mechanism, which will be herein described. Referring to FIGS.2A, 30A, 30B, a pair of hooks 710 integrally molded with the upper plate250 of the distributor 246 extends from its upper surface 247, aspreviously mentioned. The hooks 710 hang onto forwardly extending arms714 integrally molded on a rod portion 716 of a brush lifting lever 718.A ring member 719 is integrally molded on the rod portion 716 andextends rearwardly. The rod portion 716 is rotatingly positioned in acomplimentary recess in the top portion of the frame 52 such thatrotating the lever 718 clockwise when viewed from the left side raisesthe arms 714 and hence brush block assembly 216, as seen in FIG. 30A,and rotating the lever 718 counter clockwise lowers the arms 714 andbrush block assembly 216 as seen in FIG. 30B.

As best depicted in FIG. 2A, integrally molded or attached to the uppersurface 247 of the upper plate 250 are upwardly extending guide members718 which, along with the arms 714, slidingly interface with the frame52 to guide and minimize lateral movement of the distributor 246 as itis raised and lowered, thereby preventing the hooks 710 from unhookingoff the arms 714. Inner upstanding walls 708 (FIG. 17A) of the frame 52positioned outwardly adjacent the hooks 710 also aid in performing thisfunction. A pocket portion 720 having an arcuately shaped bottomdefining opposite front and rear gripping members 722, 724 slidablyengages around to the rod portion 716.

As depicted in FIG. 31, a transverse groove 726 is formed across thelower end of the rod portion 716. The groove 726 slidably receives atongue 728 integrally molded and extending rearwardly from the frontgripping member 722 of the pocket portion 720. When the brush blockassembly 216 (FIG. 30B) is raised, the pocket portion 720 movesrearwardly so that the tongue 728 engages the front edge of the groove726 to rotate the rod portion 716 clockwise (when viewed from the leftside). This action moves the arms 714, hooks 710, and brush blockassembly 216 upward as depicted in FIG. 30B. To lower the brush blockassembly 216, the pocket portion 720 is moved forward, which allows theweight of the brush block assembly 216 to rotate the rod portion 720counterclockwise and hence lower the brush block assembly 216 forscrubbing as depicted in FIG. 30A. Hence, the rod portion 716 and tongue726 are rotated in the position shown in FIG. 31B.

When the nozzle assembly 62 is raised off the floor as depicted in FIG.18, the brush assembly 216 is locked in its raised position, therebyprevented from being lowered. To accomplish this action as depicted inFIG. 30C, a snap pin 149 extends through the ring member 719 andaperture 141 (FIG. 23) of the upwardly extending arm 141 of the wheelcarriage (FIG. 23) pivotally securing them together. Thus, when thelifting lever 718 is raised with respect to the wheel carriage 136, thearm 141 lowers the ring member 719 of the lifting lever 718, therebyrotating the rod portion 716 clockwise and lifting the brush blockassembly 216. At this position as depicted in FIG. 30C, the pin 149holds down the ring member 719 preventing it from pivoting upwardly, andthereby preventing the brush block assembly 216 from lowering. At thisposition as depicted in FIG. 31A, the pocket portion 720 is free topivot forwardly, since the tongue 728 can slide along the length of thegroove 726. In effect, the cooperation of the tongue 728 and groove 726acts as a lost motion mechanism to keep the brush block assembly raisedand also to avoid stressing the wire portion 376 of the cable 730 in theevent the pocket portion 720 is moved forward from, for example, a usersliding a brush slide button 762 (FIG. 30B) down to the wet scrubposition as will be explained in further detail below.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the cable 730 and related elements are used to movethe pocket portion 720 forward and rearward to lower and raise the brushblock assembly 216, and in combination with a microswitch 534 (FIG. 3A)to energize and denergize the brush motor 508 (FIG. 24) when the brushblock assembly 216 is lowered and raised, respectively. In particular, aball 732 at the lower end of the cable 730 is securely seated in thepocket portion 720 by a projection 734 (FIG. 2C) formed on the undersideof the hood 172 (FIG. 2C) bearing against it. The cable 730 includes aBowden-type wire portion 736 slidably received in a shell 738. Asdepicted in FIGS. 30A and 30B, the cable 730 is seated in a raisedchannel 740 formed in the upper surface of the upper portion of theframe 52 rearwardly adjacent the pocket portion 720 to minimize lateralmovement of the cable 730.

As depicted in FIG. 32, the cable 730 is routed to the lower body shell314, such that the wire portion 736 of the cable 730 extends into acylindrical cap 742 and attaches to an upper enclosed end portion of thecap 742 by, for example, molding or die casting it to the cap 742. Thecylindrical cap 742 slidingly extends through an opening in the topsupport shelf 318 of the lower body shell 314 and through a coiledspring 746. A washer 748 is inserted around the cap 744 and covers thespring 746. An elastic e-shaped ring 749 is inserted into an annulargroove formed circumferentially around the cap 742 just above the washer748, to keep the spring 746 from urging the washer 748 out of the cap742. A rubber boot 752 mounted to the top support shelf 318 of the lowerbody shell 314 via mounting piece 754, covers the cap 742, spring 746,washer 748 and ring member 719, thereby sealing them from moisture. Anarticulated push rod 756 has a lower end 758 abutting the top 751 of theboot 752.

The microswitch 534 is mounted in the lower body shell 314 inwardlyadjacent the cap 742 below the top support shelf 318 via a switch cover766 (FIG. 3A), capturing it in place. The microswitch 534 iselectrically connected through the power switch assembly 682 (FIG. 3A)to the power supply (not shown) and to the power cord 552 (FIG. 24) ofthe brush motor 508 (FIG. 24) to energize and deenergize the motor 508.An elastic lever arm 786 is snap connected to the microswitch 534 andabuts a spring-loaded push button 772 on the microswitch 534. A roller770 is rotatably connected at the distal end of the lever arm 768.

Referring to FIG. 33, the slide button 762 slides up and down along anelongated groove 776 formed near the lower end of the handgrip 372 (FIG.3B) to move the push rod 756. In particular, the slide button 762includes a pair of rearward depending outwardly flared legs 781 thatslidingly receive opposite side edges of an inner frame 786 surroundingthe groove and integrally formed with the upper handle 312. A u-shapedspring 778 is fitted around and under rearward depending tabs 780 of theslide button 762. The middle portion 782 of the u-shaped spring 778bears against a lateral rear rib 788 of the slide button 762. Upper andlower pairs of notches or detents 790, 792 are formed on opposite sidesof the inner frame 786 for receiving complimentary outer offset portions794 formed on opposite legs 796 of the u-shaped spring 778.

Thus, pushing the slide button 762 down to its lower position withrespect to the handle urges the offset portions 794 to seat into thelower pair of detents 792 and pushing the slide button 762 upwardly toits upper position urges the offset portions 794 to seat into the upperpair detents 790. A nose member 784 is attached to the rear surface ofthe slide button 762 below the rib 788. A laterally extending arm member798 is integrally formed with the nose member 784 and pivotally snapsinto a detent 774 (FIG. 3B) formed in the upper end 760 of the push rod756. Alternatively, as depicted in FIG. 33A, the spring is supported andmounted to the slide button via a screw 783 inserted through a tab 787,attached on the middle portion 782 of the spring 778, and screwed to therear side of the slide button 762.

Thus, pushing down on the slide button 762 will move the push rod 756downward which in turn pushes on the cap 752 moving it and the wire 736of the cable 730 downwardly. This causes two actions. One being that theball portion 732 moves the pocket portion 724 forward rotating the brushlifting lever 718 about a quarter turn counterclockwise thereby loweringthe brush block assembly 216 as depicted in FIG. 30B. The other beingthat the cap 742, as seen in FIG. 32A cams against the roller 770 of thelever arm 768 of the microswitch 534, moving the lever arm 768 such thatit presses down on the push button 772 of a microswitch 534 to energizethe brush motor 508 (FIG. 24) and rotate the brushes 226 (FIG. 19) forscrubbing. When the slide button 762 is slid back upwardly, the ballportion 732 moves rearward rotating the brush lifting lever 718clockwise back a quarter turn thereby lifting the brush block assembly716. Also, as seen in FIG. 32, the cap 742 moves up away from the roller770, thereby releasing the lever arm 768 from pressing down on the pushbutton 772 of the microswitch 534. Thus, the brush motor 508 (FIG. 24)is deenergized and the brushes 226 are not rotated when lifted.Alternatively, the unit could be designed to operate the brushes 226when suction is not applied to the floor.

With reference to FIG. 1, to operate the hard floor cleaner unit 40 inthe dry mode to vacuum dust, dirt and other particulates on the floor,the user depresses the right pedal 206 to lower the handle assembly 42.In the event that the handle is already lowered, but the nozzle assembly62 is lowered, the user depresses the left pedal to raise the nozzleassembly 62 off the floor. Then, the slide button 704 on the powerswitch assembly 682 is slid down to activate the suction motor assembly632 (FIG. 27) to provide suction. The user grasps the handgrip 372 andmoves the hard floor cleaner unit 40 over the floor to clean it. Aftervacuuming the floor in the dry mode (or whenever vacuuming in the wetmode is desired), the user then depresses the left pedal 158 to lowerthe nozzle assembly 62 on the floor in contact with it in the wet modeto collect and pick up particles on the hard floor.

Referring to FIG. 30B, if scrubbing of the floor is desired, the userslides the slide button 762 on the hand grip 372 downward to the onposition which lowers the brush block assembly 216 on the floor andenergizes the brush motor 508 (FIG. 24) to rotate the brushes 226 (FIG.19) to scrub the floor. Squeezing the trigger 368 on the handgrip 372distributes cleaning solution through the brushes 226 (FIG. 19) and tothe floor for cleaning. For hardwood floors, a cleaning solutionspecifically design to protect the wood can be used. It should be notedthat the nozzle assembly 62 could be removed, as previously mentioned,if scrubbing of the floor is desired with no suction applied to it.Referring back to FIG. 1, after cleaning the hard floor, the user slidesthe slide button 704 of the power switch assembly 682 up to turn off theunit 40. To store the unit 40, the handle assembly 42 is pivoted in theupright position, which in turn raises the nozzle assembly 62 off thefloor as depicted in the phantom lines of FIG. 4.

FIGS. 34, 35, 36A, 36B, and 37 illustrates another embodiment of thenozzle lifting mechanism and brush lifting mechanism for a hard floorcleaning unit 810. Referring to FIG. 34, the cleaning unit 810 comprisesan upright handle assembly 812 pivotally connected to the rear portionof a base assembly 814 that moves and cleans along a surface. The handleassembly 812 is generally similar to that of the previous embodimentexcept that the brush block assembly 816 (FIG. 35) is activated andlifted by a foot pedal 818L on the base assembly 814, which will befurther explained. As depicted in FIG. 34A, the base assembly 810includes a nozzle assembly 820 removably connected to the frame 814,which is covered by a hood 827. Rear wheels 824 are rotatably connectedto axles 826 journaled into the frame 822. Left and right pedals 818L,818R include downward depending leg portions 860 that slideably engagevertical channels 858 formed in the side of the frame 822. A brush blockassembly 816 fits into a complimentary cavity 828 of the frame 822rearwardly adjacent the nozzle assembly 820. A distributor plate 830 isremovably secured on the brush block assembly 816. Attached to the frontend of the distributor plate 830 is a lateral pin 832 extendingforwardly. A pin 834 is also attached to the inside of the front wall836 of the frame 822 and laterally extends rearward.

Referring to FIG. 35, a lever 838 is pivotally connected to the pin 834.In particular, the pin 834 extends into a sleeve 840 formed in the lever838. The right end of the lever 838 defines a hook portion 842 that ispositioned just under the pin 832 of the distributor plate 830. A brushmotor 846 with cover 847 is mounted to the underside of the frame 822and includes a drive slot (not shown), which receives a drive shaft 883(FIG. 34A) of the brush block 816 for driving the brushes 817 forrotation. A microswitch 844 is mounted to the inside of the front wall836 of the frame 822 above the lever 838 and is electrically connectedbetween a power source (not shown) and the brush motor 846. In thisposition, the lever 838 is spaced from the spring-loaded push button 855of a microswitch 844, which is in a normally close circuit condition.

A shaft member 848 oriented perpendicular with respect to the lever 838is rotatably connected to the cleaning unit 810. A pair of front andrear ears 850, 852 are integrally formed on opposite ends of the shaftmember 848 and extend inwardly. The front ear 850 bears upon the leftend of the lever 838 and the rear ear 852 is positioned just under aforwardly extending projection 854 formed on a left pedal 818L. Theshaft member 848 extends through a torsion spring 856, secured to theframe 822 that biases the ears 850, 852 upwardly. Depressing the leftpedal 818L downwardly will cause the projection 854 to cam on the rearear 852 rotating it downwardly, thereby also causing the front ear 850to rotate downwardly and cam down on the left portion 864 of the lever838. This action pivots the lever 838 clockwise thereby moving the hookportion 842 and brush block assembly 816 upwardly. In addition, thelever 838 presses the push button 855 on the microswitch 844, whichopens the circuit in the microswitch 844, thereby breaking theelectrical connection between the brush motor 846 and power supply.Hence, the brush motor 846 deenergizes and turns off the brush blockassembly 816.

Pushing the pedal 818L again and then removing the pushing force movesthe pedal 818L upward such that the projection 854 moves away from therear ear 852 of the shaft member 848, thereby allowing the shaft member848 to rotate the front ear 850 upwardly from the biasing force of thespring 856. The upward rotation of the front ear 850 away from the leftend of the lever 838 allows the right end of the lever 838 to pivotdownward from the weight of the brush block assembly 816, therebylowering the brush block assembly 816. The lever 838 then moves awayfrom the push button 855 of the microswitch 844, thereby closing thecircuit in the microswitch 844, which in turn energizes the brush motor846 to rotate the brushes 817 on the brush block assembly 816 forscrubbing. Additionally with reference to FIG. 34A, as a backup to themicroswitch 844, a second microswitch 843, electrically connectedbetween the power source and brush motor 846, could be mounted on thecover 847 of brush motor 846 and positioned over the distributor 830such that a raised portion 841 on the distributor presses the switchbutton 845 to open circuit and deenergize the brush motor 846 upon thebrush block assembly 216 being raised.

Referring to FIG. 36, a mechanism for lifting the nozzle assembly 820 isdisclosed. A wheel carriage 865 is pivotally connected to the undersideof the frame 822. In particular, a rear pair of trunnions 868 (FIG. 34A)located on opposite sides of the wheel carriage 865 journals through theframe 822. A pair of wheels 870 is rotatably connected on opposite endsof a stationary axle 872 located on the front end of the wheel carriage822 for supporting the frame 822. An inverted u-shaped raised camfollower 890 is formed on the upper side of the axle 872 and rides alongthe bottom side of a slide block 866. The slide block 866 is slidablymounted to the brush motor cover 847 by screws 874 extending throughrespective washers 876 and then into a pair of elongated longitudinalslots 878. The washers 876 are secured to the screws, by for example,welding them thereto. The washers 876 radially extend beyond oppositelongitudinal ends of the slots 878 to secure the slide block 866 to themotor cover 847. Thus, the slide block 866 slides along the longitudinalaxis of the slots 878, yet is secured to the base assembly 814.

A compression spring 880 is connected between the screw 874 closer tothe right pedal 818R and portion of the slide block 866 underneath theslot 878 further away from the right pedal 818R. A ramp portion 867 isintegrally formed on the bottom side of the slide block 866 and extendsdownwardly. An upwardly extending arm 882 is integrally molded on theleft end of the slide block. The arm 882 is angled outwardly and ispositioned under an inwardly extending projection 886 of the right pedal181R. The arm 882 includes a roller 884 rotatably connected to it at theupper end of the arm 882. The projection 886 has a beveled edge 888(FIG. 34A) formed on its bottom right corner.

When the nozzle assembly 820 is in the raised position, the ramp portion867 abuts against the cam follower 890, thereby raising the frame 822(FIG. 34A) and hence nozzle assembly 820 (FIG. 34A) with respect to thewheel carriage 866 and floor. Upon depression of the right pedal 818R,the beveled edge 888 9 FIG. 34A) of the projection 886 cams against theroller 884 which causes the slide block 866 to move inwardly until thecam follower 890 moves away from the ram portion 867, thereby loweringthe frame 822 (FIG. 34A) and nozzle assembly 820. Upon depression of thepedal 818R again, the projection 886 moves upwardly away from the arm884. This action allows the spring 880 to urge the slide block 866 toslide outwardly such that the cam follower 890 cams against the rampportion 867, thereby raising the frame 822 (FIG. 34A) and nozzleassembly 820 from the floor. Additionally, a raised stop member 885(FIG. 34A) of the slide block 866 abuts against the distributor therebyraising the brush assembly 816 and preventing it from lowering.

Turning to FIGS. 37A and 37B, the pedals 818R, 818L contain a push-pushmechanism, which allows the right pedal 818R to raise or lower thenozzle assembly (FIG. 34A) upon depression, and allows the left pedal818L to raise or lower the brush block assembly 816 (FIG. 34A) upondepression. Both the pedals and their push-push mechanisms are generallysimilar in design and function so only the left pedal 818L and itspush-push mechanism will be herein described. Thus, the elementsdescribed below for the left pedal 818L and its push-push mechanism arealso used for the right pedal 818R and its push-push mechanism. Thepush-push type mechanism acts upon each of the pedals 818R, 818L to lockand unlock it when it is pushed.

In particular, a coiled spring 862 attached to the underside of thepedal 818L depends downwardly and abuts a bottom ledge 898 of the frame822. A rotor 892 having first and second notches 894, 896 is rotatablyconnected to the portion of the side of the frame 822 between thechannels 858. When the pedal 818L is depressed, an upper rib 900 on thepedal 818L engages the first notch 894 to rotate the rotor 892. Therotor 892 is rotated until a second notch 896 engages a bottom rib 902.When the pedal 818L is released, the coiled compression spring 862 movesthe pedal 818L up slightly so that the bottom rib 902 rotates the rotor892 so that the upper rib 900 is aligned with the outer side of therotor 892 between the notches 894, 896. In this position as depicted in37B, the engagement of the bottom rib 902 with the second notch 894prevents further rotation of the rotor 892 and thus locks the pedal818L. Depressing the pedal 818L again moves the bottom rib 902 out ofthe way of the second notch 170 and causes the upper rib 900 to engagethe outer side 904 of the rotor 892 rotating it such that the secondnotch 896 rotates past the bottom rib 902. At this position, there is nointerference to prevent the pedal 818L from moving back to its originalposition.

Thus, upon releasing the pedal 818L, the coiled compression spring 862moves the pedal 818L upwardly. It should be apparent that upondepressing the pedal 818L again to raise either the nozzle assembly 820or brush block assembly 816, the upper rib 900 now engages the secondnotch 896 and the first notch 894 engages the upper rib 900 but in allother aspects the raising and lowering operation will be similar, sincethe notches 894, 896 are similarly shaped.

FIGS. 38, 39A and 39B illustrate still another embodiment of a nozzlelifting mechanism and a brush lifting mechanism on a hard floor cleaningunit 906. Turning to FIG. 38, the cleaning unit 906 comprises an uprighthandle assembly 908 pivotally connected to the rear portion of a baseassembly 916 that moves and cleans along a surface. Wheels 922 arerotatably connected to the base assembly 916. The handle assembly 908includes a recovery tank 910 removably mounted in a complementarycavity. A latch 912 releasably locks the recovery tank 910 to the handleassembly 908. A supply tank 914 is removably mounted to the handleassembly 908 and located rearwardly adjacent the recovery tank 910. Thebase assembly 916 includes a nozzle assembly 918 connected to the frame822 and fluidly connected to the recovery tank 910 via a central duct924 attached thereto. A brush assembly 926 is secured to the baseassembly 916 rearwardly adjacent the nozzle assembly 918. The baseassembly 916 further includes a hood or covers 917 covering it. As iscommonly known, cleaning liquid from the supply tank 914 is distributedonto the floor and scrubbed thereon by the brush assembly 926. Asuitable suction source (not shown) draws the dirt and/or cleaningliquid from the floor through the nozzle assembly 918 and into therecovery tank 910.

As depicted in FIGS. 39A and 39B, a pair of right and left lever arms928, 930 are attached to the nozzle assembly 918 and extend rearward.The right lever arm 928 is located outwardly adjacent the right side ofthe frame 920 and pivotally connected to the frame 920. The left leverarm 930 is located inwardly adjacent the left side of the frame 920 andpivotally connected to frame 920. The pivotal connections allow thenozzle assembly 918 to raise and lower. A right pedal 932R is pivotallyconnected to an axle 934 journaled into the frame 920. The right pedal932R has a top portion 936 that extends rearward and a bottom portion938 that bears against the top surface of the rear portion 940 of theright lever arm 928. Thus, when the top portion 936 of the pedal 932R isdepressed, the bottom portion 938 rotates and cams against the rearportion 940 of the right lever arm 928 causing it to pivot downwardly,thereby raising the nozzle assembly 918. Referring to FIG. 39B, a brushassembly 926 is secured to the frame 920 and is located rearwardlyadjacent the nozzle assembly 918. A pair of right and left lever arms942, 944 is attached to the brush assembly 926 and extends rearward.

The right lever arm 942 is located inwardly adjacent the right side ofthe frame 920 and pivotally connected to the frame 920. The left leverarm 944 is located outwardly adjacent the left side of the frame 920 andpivotally connected to it. The pivotal connections allow the brushassembly 926 to raise and lower. A left pedal 932L is pivotallyconnected to the axle 934. The left pedal 932L has a top portion 946that extends rearward and a bottom portion 948 that bears against thetop surface of the rear portion 954 of the left lever arm 944. Thus,when the top portion 946 of the left pedal 932L is depressed, the bottomportion 948 rotates and cams against the rear portion 954 of the leftlever arm 944 causing it to pivot downwardly, thereby raising the brushassembly 926. The right side of the frame 920 includes an inwardlyextending stop projection 950 that overlies the right lever arm 928 ofthe brush assembly 926 that limits the upward movement of the brushassembly 926.

The present invention has been described by way of example using theillustrated embodiment. Upon reviewing the detailed description and theappended drawings, various modifications and variations of the preferredembodiment will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. Allsuch obvious modifications and variations are intended to be included inthe scope of the present invention and of the claims appended hereto.

In view of the above, it is intended that the present invention not belimited by the preceding disclosure of a preferred embodiment, butrather be limited only by the appended claims.

1-2. (canceled).
 3. A method for cleaning a surface with a cleaningunit, said cleaning unit having a suction nozzle assembly for picking upparticles on said surface, said method comprising the steps of: a)raising said nozzle assembly off said surface; b) moving said cleaningunit along said surface to pick up loose particles on said surface; c)lowering said nozzle assembly to contact said surface; d) applyingcleaning solution to said surface; and e) moving said cleaning unitalong said surface to collect and pick up particles and cleaningsolution on said surface.
 4. The method of claim 3 including the step ofscrubbing the cleaning solution on said surface after step d.
 5. Themethod of claim 4 wherein the step of scrubbing the cleaning solution onsaid surface is accomplished by rotating a brush assembly on a verticalaxis provided on the cleaning unit.
 6. The method of claim 4 wherein thestep of scrubbing the cleaning solution on said surface is accomplishedby rotating a brush assembly provided on the cleaning unit.
 7. Themethod of claim 6 wherein said brush assembly is raised off of saidsurface in step a.
 8. The method of claim 3 wherein the collecting ofparticles is accomplished by a squeegee provided on the cleaning unit.9. The method of claim 3 including providing an actuator to saidcleaning unit, said method including the step of actuating said actuatorto raise said nozzle assembly off said surface in step a.
 10. The methodof claim 3 including providing a pedal operatively connected to saidbase portion, said method including the step of depressing said pedal toraise said nozzle assembly off the surface in step a.
 11. The method ofclaim 10 including providing a wheel carriage pivotally connected tosaid base portion and a cam member movably mounted to one of said baseportion and said wheel carriage, said cam member positioned between saidbase portion and said wheel carriage, said cam member having at leastone cam portion, a cam follower provided on one of said base portion andsaid wheel carriage, wherein the step of depressing said pedal to raisesaid nozzle assembly off of said surface includes the step oftranslationally moving said cam member with respect to said wheelcarriage such that the cam portion engages said cam follower to liftsaid suction nozzle in a first position away from the surface.
 12. Themethod of claim 10 including the step of depressing said pedal to lowersaid nozzle assembly to contact said surface in step c.
 13. A method forcleaning a surface with a cleaning unit comprising the steps of: a)scrubbing cleaning solution on the surface by rotating at least onevertically axis brush provided on the cleaning unit; b) securing asuction nozzle assembly on the cleaning unit; and c) moving saidcleaning unit along the surface so that said suction nozzle assemblycollects and picks up particles and cleaning solution on the surface.14. The method of claim 13 including the step of vacuuming the surfacebefore step a.
 15. A method for cleaning a surface with a cleaning unit,said cleaning unit having a base assembly for movement along a surface,the method comprising the steps of: a) placing said base assembly in afirst position b) causing said base assembly to apply suction to thesurface; c) moving said cleaning unit along the surface to pick up looseparticles on the surface when in said first position; d) placing saidbase assembly in a second position; and e) moving said cleaning unitalong the surface in one direction to apply and scrub cleaning solutionto the surface and collect and pick up particles and cleaning solutionon the surface.
 16. The method of claim 15 wherein the collecting ofparticles is accomplished by a squeegee provided on the cleaning unit.17. The method of claim 15 including wherein at least a portion of saidbase assembly is raised off the surface when in said first position.